Spring Fashion 2013: Trends

The 20th was the first day of spring, which is of little comfort to those of you sitting under 15” of snow. I’ve been holding off on posting this because it seems a bit cruel if you’re still curled up under a blanket but now I’m calling it: It’s Spring!

If you remember (which for your sake I hope you don’t) fall was pretty disappointing this year. In fact, in some cases, downright wretched. Everyone seems to have dialed back a bit for spring, which, just like the warm weather, is a welcome relief. Here are four trends I saw quite a bit in my review of the spring collections.

Florals

OK, I know what you’re thinking (really I do): how can florals be a “trend” when they show up every year? You’re right but what is new is how they’re being used- in both bolds and pastels and mixed with geometrics. A fresh take on an oldie but goodie.

Elie Tahari dress mixing brights with floral, Sportmax skirt with geometric trim, Prada bag, Erickson Beaman necklace, 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket- biker meets floral, CWonder bag, and Tabitha Simmons shoes. 

Geometrics

I wasn’t such a big fan of color blocking but the use of circles, squares and lines in so many of the top lines felt new and flattering.

Marc Jacobs knit maxi dress, Tabitha Simmons ankle strap sandal, MSGM top combining checkerboard with floral, Delfina Delettrez earrings, bold kelly green Louis Vuitton bag, Michael Kors dress.

Ruffles

Last year, it was lace and while lace appeared almost everywhere again this year, two times in a row keeps it from being a trend. Instead, ruffles are a bit more playful and cover the spectrum from fancy to casual. It’s an easily incorporated trend in almost any wardrobe.

Zac Posen pink ruffled top (you knew I couldn't pass that up!), Zac Posen floral dress with ruffled hem, YSL blouse, Clu knit top (love this!), Sophia Webster shoes (nowhere to wear them but love the whimsy).

  

Brights

My bias is usually towards pastels for their femininity (and as rebellion against the dark tones of winter) but this year a number of designers did a great job with brights—and in ways that make them wearable for a lot of women.

Exquisite Tom Ford dress- ladylike AND bold, Michael Kors dress, fun blinged out Flutter bracelets (a la wristbands), Balenciaga bag, Barbara Bui shoes. 

Check back in the upcoming weeks when I look at individual designers I really feel hit the mark. Plus, practical and fantasy fashion.